Mark Johnston almost laid claim to permanent ownership of the J.P. Morgan Goodwood Cup when Double Trigger landed his hat-trick of successes in the two-mile event.

The Middleham trainer yesterday added the name of another Kingsley House inmate to the roll of honour of the Group Three event when 10-1 shot Royal Rebel earned a thrilling half-length success over 2-1 favourite Far Cry under Michael Kinane to land the £36,040 first prize.

Whether yesterday's victor could even begin to emulate his stable's hero of former days is open to question, but at the age of four there is still time for him to develop further.

Running in the colours of British Horseracing Board chairman Peter Savill, Royal Rebel was always handy as the early pace was cut out by Persian Punch.

As the eight-runner field headed back towards the stands the winner and runner-up joined issue, with the latter getting his head in front three furlongs out.

The two principals were joined by Rainbow High, who looked to have his head in front but faded as the trio entered the final quarter mile.

Johnston paid tribute to the tenacity of Kinane: ''Some jockey, isn't he?''

Of the winner Johnston commented: ''We thought he was in with a chance but he had to improve on all previous form to figure. He is rated 107, which in Double Trigger's day would not be enough to win a Goodwood Cup.

''He's a very lazy horse who has had so many off days that you can never be quite sure how he will run. But he's never been better than he was today.

''He needs something to take him along, but he travelled well all the way then Mick just gave him that last push in the final furlong.''

''The big bonus is that he is a four-year-old and he's a very sound horse, so hopefully we'll come back here again and again. But I haven't thought much beyond today.''

The Doncaster Cup looks on the horizon, but Savill has not ruled out a trip to Australia for the Melbourne Cup where Royal Rebel could lock horns with the runner-up.

Despite not putting the Robellino gelding forward when entries closed this week, Savill said he will contact the Racing Victoria authorities to enter him before Monday's late entry deadline.

''He's the ideal type for the race,'' said Savill, who added: ''He's had his last couple of runs in Ireland because the stewards are a bit more lenient with the whip rules!''

''I travelled back in a plane a few weeks ago with Mick Kinane and asked him if we should go for the Northumberland Plate worth £130,000, which I was leaning towards, or the Group Three Curragh Cup, worth around £30,000. Mick said it depended if I could do a deal with the Newcastle stewards.''

Martin Pipe was delighted with the effort shown by Far Cry, who again had to settle for second spot after finishing second to Kayf Tara in the Ascot Gold Cup.

''He has really tried his heart out and did not want to let the winner past him,'' said Pipe.

''The Melbourne Cup is still very much on our minds and maybe the handicapper in Australia will drop him a few pounds after he has been beaten here.''

Punters got off to a perfect start when Danceabout waltzed to victory under Kevin Darley in the opening Oak Tree Stakes.

The 15-8 favourite was brought to the head of affairs inside the final furlong of seven to deny 66-1 outsider Claranet by a head, with Last Resort a further three quarters of a length back in third.

Danceabout will now be stepped up to a mile for her next outing according to trainer Geoff Wragg.

''She struggled a bit because she really wants further and I will definitely run her over a mile next. There are races at Sandown, Deauville or in Ireland,'' he said.

''Kevin said the ground was very loose on top and when he asked her to go she stumbled about a bit until she got into her stride.

''She really likes faster ground but as I told the owner, class will tell.''

Danceabout's success produced a notable landmark for owner-breeders the Bloomsbury Stud of the Marquess and Marchioness of Tavistock.

''She is a grand-daughter of our great mare Mrs Moss,'' said Lady Tavistock. ''And her descendants have now won over £2 million after this success.

''Mrs Moss only cost us 2,100 guineas so it shows dreams can really come true.''

Trainer Kamil Mahdi was delighted with the performance of the runner-up, who may well take her place in Ascot's Shergar Cup.

''She loves the soft ground and is coming back after a break,'' he said.

''She is in the six-furlong handicap (Dubai Shopping Festival Distaff Handicap) at Ascot and she may well run in that if the ground is soft enough.'